Editorial

Dr. Donald Ractliffe, our President in 1979, chose as the title of his Presidential Address The Evolution of Medical Societies in Britain have they a future?' He concluded his address by saying "My own feeling is that, as medical societies, we should further reduce the number of meetings devoted to purely scientific subjects since these tend to duplicate the function of the postgraduate centres. Instead we should establish a forum where we can broaden our


EDITORIAL
Within the current climate of an ever-increasing need for a strong evidence base for our practice, it is essential for all therapists to incorporate research into their practice. (Pounsett et al., 2006) This quote comes from one of the three papers in this issue, all of which are concerned with research. There is a sense of 'breaking new ground' in the analysis of the effectiveness of different research methodologies, in particular the use of video interaction techniques (See Journal of Infant Observation August 2006.) Important questions are considered such as the meaning of measurement and significant change, whether research activity might compromise our treatment approach and how objective information about change correlates with the therapists' clinical opinion.
Hilary Hosea's paper describes her innovative work through field study using an ethnographic and participative approach to an art therapy group in which mothers and their young children paint together. The framework of the research is based on the developing practice of parentÁ infant psychotherapy, acknowledging the importance of attunement and attachment between infant and caregiver (Trevarthan) and the inter-subjective world of the infant (Stern). 'Vitality affects' and 'now moments' and how the process of art therapy can enhance these are also important to the study. The use of video shows the interaction of mothers and their infants painting together and how this positively affects their relationship by building up an experience of connectness. Specific aspects of the art activity such as the importance of colour, containment of chaos and mess and the symbolic meaning of the paintings in this context became clearer. The video interaction technique, which is becoming integral to parentÁ infant work, as a sensitive therapeutic tool and also a positive reflective space for mothers was considered.
Through meticulous research over many years, Pounsett and her colleagues have produced an important paper which sets out to examine if change can be measured in art therapy with adults with moderate to severe learning disabilities. The aim was to gather together objective information about changes in the client that correlate with therapists' clinical opinion. Data was gathered using video of sessions. The authors created their own measure-ment tool that allowed profiles of the client/therapist interactions to be generated from the sessions. Independent ratings of the videos were recorded and related to the clinicians' process and case notes. Change was measured without detriment to the therapeutic process and collection of qualitative and quantitative data was also demonstrated as an important aspect of the therapeutic process.
One of the successful outcomes of this study was the progress made in finding a tool that measures the process of art therapy as well as the outcomes. While close attention was paid to the image making process, further developments to study this process directly from the videos were suggested to capture the interactions between client and therapist. Another helpful point made by the authors which affects all research endeavour is that although changes may not be statistically significant, the changes are not insignificant to the clients themselves and those around them.
Change is very much the theme of Sarah Warren's more philosophical paper which brings a refreshing focus on health rather than illness. Csikszentmihalyi, a psychologist, conducted research into the psychological state of happiness, developing the concept of 'flow' by outlining characteristics of an 'autotelic' personality. The 'autotelic' self is the entity that directs consciousness, promotes 'flow' which reinforces the self, reduces stress and makes life meaningful. Warren's main thesis is that both art therapy and the concept of 'flow' are concerned with the well-being of the individual and offer a way of re-addressing the balance between areas of wellness and strength as well as possible areas of illness and difficulty. She explores the intersections between the concept of 'flow' and psycho-aesthetic understanding employed in art therapy as well as some more general attitudes to life by drawing on her personal experience of mountain climbing. The ideas contained in all these papers raise innovative and challenging issues to think about.
Betty Stirling's reply to the paper by Gersch and Sao Joao Goncalves 'Creative arts therapies and educational psychology: Let's Get Together' printed in the last issue elaborates on the proposed collaboration between art therapists and educational psychologists. She develops the argument by throwing light on the role that art therapists, working in education, have played in the past and outlines some obstacles that need to be overcome before more constructive collaboration can evolve. This useful dialogue will hopefully generate further thought and discussion between both professions.
The four reviews cover equally diverse and interesting subjects in art therapy and related areas. The images reproduced on the inside are painted by Linda Hughes. One is a woodcut. The other is a sketch for a proposed woodcut. They reflect a sense of quiet and thoughtful wisdom both in the making, when things go wrong, but also in the final piece.
We hope to hear from other artists and art therapists who may wish to contribute their images in this way. Finally, many letters and emails have been sent with thoughts and reflections about the journal, its content and future development. These views of the membership and wider international readership are very welcome.

Tessa Dalley
British Association of Art Therapists